Garrison of Peace

Garrison of Peace

Words of Faith 9-9-19

Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy © 2019

Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com

Faith Fellowship Church - Melbourne, FL

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Philippians 4

[6] Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. [7] And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

      Are there times when you would like to build a wall around your heart?  A wall of protection that would keep out anything hurtful or evil?

       Sometimes we are so wounded by life and relationships that go wrong that we build walls.  We figure that the only way to be safe is to keep people out.  We may even try to keep God out.  With everyone at arm's length, we think we feel safer.  But we still aren't safe, and we are terribly lonely.

      So, what is the answer?  Prayer?  Not really.  Lots of people pray in many different ways, and they are still hurting and hurtful.  Paul gives us the answer.  The answer is "in Christ Jesus.”   Paul is talking about building a different kind of wall altogether.  Prayer is how we get there.

       Here is how it works.  First, choose not to fret.  Instead, in everything-- every concern, worry or wound-- pray.  There are two words here.  The first means "praise or worship.”  We begin by communing with God.  Then we pray by petition making our requests in a spirit of gratitude.  What comes upon us is the peace of God.  It is something only God can give. 

        This peace is the same thing that Jesus gave after His resurrection in the Upper Room: "Peace be with you..."  The word even means the "prosperity" of God in the broadest most generous sense.  The prosperity of God, His abundant peace, will be all the walls you need. 

        The generous peace of God will "garrison" and "sentinel" your heart, the seat of emotions, and your mind IN CHRIST JESUS.  How is that for a fort?  Instead of walls of isolation, we are guarded by the peace and prosperity of God. Those around us run into a wall of peace. That is a mighty safe place.

Lord, Jesus, I choose to commune with You this day.  Hear the petitions of my heart and mind, my worries and concerns.  Hear my gratitude for Your provision.  Surround me not with impenetrable walls but with a layer of Your peace.  Garrison me, not with a hardened heart, but with the prosperity of God. Give me a safe haven in Your peace.  Amen.

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The Words of Faith devotion is published five days a week by E-mail, and our website, and our church app, excluding Federal holidays. Please feel free to forward this devotion to a friend who might be blessed by this devotion. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture is quoted from the New International Version (R) of The Holy Bible. Copyright (c) 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved. Words of Faith (c) 1997, 2010 Jeffrey D. Hoy. All rights reserved. Permission is granted to forward this copyrighted material or use portions of it with appropriate notation of the source for non-profit purposes.  

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